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Mary Cassatt (artist) American, 1844 - 1926 Portrait of an Elderly Lady, c. 1887 oil on canvas Overall: 72.9 x 60.3 cm (28 11/16 x 23 3/4 in.) framed: 100.3 x 84.1 cm (39 1/2 x 33 1/8 in.) Chester Dale Collection 1963.10.7 Not on View |
Mary Cassatt had great respect for the art of Manet and Degas. Portrait of an Elderly Lady demonstrates her admiration for Edouard Manet through her use of large dark areas, near black, and warm flesh tones applied with the rich, broad brushstrokes typical of Manet's work.
Although the identity of the sitter in Portrait of an Elderly Lady is unknown, she appears in other works by the artist. Cassatt paints the woman with characteristic candor, including gray hair and wrinkles. Sitting on a chintz upholstered slipper chair with her elbow slung across the top, her casual pose exudes self-confidence. The large, pink rose in her bonnet is a youthful symbol that brightens her dark attire.